The presentation by Douglas Engelbart and the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) team is important for several reasons:

1. Showcasing technological breakthroughs:

  • Computer mouse: Engelbart invented the computer mouse in the early 1960s. With the mouse, we can easily click and drag objects on the screen.
  • Hypertext: Engelbart also demonstrated a way to organize information through links, later the core of the World Wide Web—hyperlinks. Clicking on text can jump to other pages, which is very convenient.
  • Video conferencing: They demonstrated video conferencing technology, which allows people to communicate in real-time in different places. This technology is now crucial in business, education, and personal communications.
  • Real-time collaborative editing: The demonstration showed the ability of multiple users to edit a document simultaneously in real-time. Offices and educational institutions widely use various collaborative software and platforms due to this feature, which is essential for collaborative work.

2. Impact on human-computer interaction:

While the 1968 demonstration did not show an entire graphical user interface, it included the idea that users could operate a computer system through simple icons and commands. Before this, most computer interfaces were text-based and required users to have a high level of technical knowledge to operate. The concept of an interactive GUI, where users could click on icons and menus with a mouse, made computing more accessible to many users and paved the way for the personal computer revolution. This concept was later implemented in Apple’s Lisa and Macintosh computers and gradually spread to other operating systems.

3. Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)：

He emphasizes HCI design, which improves computer usability and efficiency. Engelbart believes that technology should enhance human problem-solving abilities, not add barriers. Therefore, he develops systems to enable users to perform complex tasks more efficiently.

4. Inspiration for Future Innovation:

The technology that Engelbart demonstrated profoundly influenced the computer industry. Companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Xerox were inspired to apply their ideas to their products. For example, Apple’s Macintosh computer used a graphical user interface, part of Engelbart’s vision. It also laid the foundation for the development of the Internet. The ideas of networked computers and shared information that Engelbart demonstrated inspired subsequent research and eventually formed the global network we use today.

5. Shift in computing paradigm：

Engelbart promoted a change in computing from the traditional model to a new approach focusing more on user experience and collaboration. It emphasized the importance of people in computing and promoted the development of user-friendly interfaces and application software. Not only did he directly influence technology development at the time, but his influence continues to this day. From the way we browse the web to the use of collaboration tools, Engelbart’s ideas are everywhere.